



“Once a passion for Avoda is IGNITED, it is rarely EXTINGUISHED.”


“Once a passion for Avoda is IGNITED, it is rarely EXTINGUISHED.”
The unique experience of our all-boys Jewish overnight camp is increasingly in demand. Avoda instills Jewish values, leadership, and organizational skills that last a lifetime. Avodians become community leaders—coaching, taking initiative, and impacting the world.
Camp Avoda provides tuition assistance to 35% of our campers, more than one-third of whom come from families with income below 50% of the median household income of $75,000. Additionally, many of our scholarship campers are from single-parent families…a constituency with which Avoda has long shared a special bond.
Avoda is central to our campers’ Jewish identity. A full third of all campers are from families that are not affiliated with a synagogue, and more than half attend more services during camp than they do throughout the remainder of the year.
We provide an important link for our campers to the Jewish homeland. For many years now, Israeli counselors and campers call Avoda home each summer. We feature fun and exciting Israeli programming, and the Star of David proudly flies over the Camp Avoda Athletic Field every day. We are proud to host a Birthright trip tradition with our staff and alumni.
Our camp Alumni sons and nephews make up 20% of our campers and 17% of our counselors. This continuity is one of our most valuable assets as a community!
Since 1927, Camp Avoda has created the ultimate community for Jewish boys, helping them learn about themselves, discover exciting new talents, and take on transformative leadership roles. Our boys build the confidence and character they’ll need to effectively lead throughout their lives.
93% of camper families report that camp made their child feel part of the larger Jewish community and peoplehood.*
*According to data collected from over 9,000 overnight camper families in response to FJC’s 2023 Camper Satisfaction Insights survey.
Parents will often share with us that their son returned home “a changed kid” and “much more independent,” or that “he won’t stop gushing about his camp friends” and “seems to remember every single event and statistic from the summer.” And for those of us proud Avodians far past the glory days of our youth, we know these feelings of excitement never leave. In fact, for many of us, they only grow over time. Because once a passion for Camp Avoda is ignited, it is rarely extinguished.
Avodians stay involved long after their cherished camper and counselor years, becoming active alumni, maintaining lifelong friendships, and ultimately sending their own sons, nephews, and grandkids to camp to follow in their footsteps. This self-perpetuating cycle builds a strong Jewish identity and ensures our culture and traditions endure.
“Study after study confirms that Jewish summer camp remains one of the most effective tools for changing lives — providing opportunities for individual growth, building community, and strengthening connections to Judaism, the Jewish people, and Israel. Simply stated, Jewish camp works!”
Camp Avoda has embodied the values of leadership, sportsmanship and brotherhood, fueled by our storied traditions. From the idyllic shores of Lake Tispaquin, Avoda has provided generations of boys a uniquely authentic setting in which to discover themselves (and who they want to become), to experience profound personal growth, become resilient, and to be proudly Jewish.
As we approach our centennial, we are looking to build on our legendary history and make strategic improvements to our camp for the benefit of our community and to attract new families to our camp. While staying loyal to our traditions, it is clear we must improve and modernize the camp to meet the evolving needs of our campers in an ever-changing and often turbulent world.
As a not-for-profit managed by a volunteer board of Avodians, we sought extensive feedback from current and prospective camper families when planning our improvements. Ultimately, parents and campers are looking for facilities that are modern, clean and optimized to promote better skill development, competition and free-form play.
We seek to revive our facilities, reimagining how we use them and adding new, inspiring spaces to create countless opportunities for expanded programming.
• Plan and build for the anticipated needs of future campers and families.
• Ensure financial sustainability by investing in our facilities, allowing us to maximize camper retention and thoughtfully grow enrollment over time.
• Expand and improve several areas of camp to accommodate more future campers, increase programming opportunities, and extend the lifespan of our beloved community spaces.
• Prepare for growing security needs in a changing world.
• Prepare for environmental sustainability with a rapidly changing climate
These investments will enable us to increase the number of campers we serve each summer by nearly 20%, growing the impact Camp Avoda has on its campers and the Jewish community at large.
From generation to generation... THE AVODA 100 VISION
Construction begins Fall 2025!
(interior and exterior, including all program rooms along the beach)
Expanding our program offerings
Proposed Rec Hall, Architectural Rendering
(including adding bathrooms)
• Selectively Expand Cabins to provide additional capacity and flexibility
Expanded three cabins prior to 2025 season!
• Rebuild multisport courts (Basketball, Tennis and Pickleball)
• Create additional athletic field space to increase Freshman and Sophomore programming options
• New infirmary
• Provide more adult staff housing to increase oversight and expand programming offerings
• Create a more welcoming entrance and enhance security
• Renovate Lodge
• Build new swimming pool
Proposed Multipurpose Building, Architectural Rendering
Giving back at Avoda is a gift and a shared responsibility. For us, camp is a team sport. Because of our small size, every camper knows each other and every camper feels unwavering support, shared wisdom and a deep sense of belonging. We feel connected to something more than just ourselves – we feel connected to the 100 years of tradition before us.
We gather together at the same chapel site where so many of our fathers, uncles and grandfathers gathered in prayer. We drift off to sleep to the sound of “Taps” in the same cabins where generations before us fell asleep, tired after a long day and dreaming about the excitement tomorrow would bring.
For many Avodians, camp is the only connection they have to Judaism. This makes the Avoda experience even more worthy of our steadfast commitment.
As a tribute to this powerful place and unique camaraderie, we’re commencing our historic Avoda 100 fundraising campaign, so that we can ensure the next generation of Avodians get to experience the same brotherhood that has enriched all of our lives.
Can you please help us keep this flame going with a gift to our campaign?
When campers and counselors leave at the end of the summer, we all say the same thing: “10 months to a better life.” Let’s make sure the magic of a Camp Avoda summer lives far into the future.
Thank you!
Russell Sherman Campaign Co-Chair
David Glattstein Campaign Co-Chair
Ken Shifman Executive Director
“Today Camp Avoda stands resilient, supported by the strength of our community and the bond of our shared experiences. Our leadership team, unmatched in their compassion and expertise, and our amazing counselors create a nurturing environment where every camper is valued, and yes, where ‘everyone knows your name.’ This sense of belonging, of community, is the essence of Avoda. We are extremely fortunate to be part of something so special. Together, we are not just preserving a camp; we are nurturing a legacy of sportsmanship, spirit, and friendship that lasts a lifetime.”
RUSSELL SHERMAN, BOARD PRESIDENT
Campaign
Board